Geometric, electronic, and bonding properties of AuNM (N = 1-7, M = Ni, Pd, Pt) clusters

Employing first-principles methods, based on density functional theory, we report the ground state geometric and electronic structures of gold clusters doped with platinum group atoms, Au(N)M (N = 1-7, M = Ni, Pd, Pt). The stability and electronic properties of Ni-doped gold clusters are similar to that of pure gold clusters with an enhancement of bond strength. Due to the strong d-d or s-d interplay between impurities and gold atoms originating in the relativistic effects and unique properties of dopant delocalized s-electrons in Pd- and Pt-doped gold clusters, the dopant atoms markedly change the geometric and electronic properties of gold clusters, and stronger bond energies are found in Pt-doped clusters. The Mulliken populations analysis of impurities and detailed decompositions of bond energies as well as a variety of density of states of the most stable dopant gold clusters are given to understand the different effects of individual dopant atom on bonding and electronic properties of dopant gold clusters. From the electronic properties of dopant gold clusters, the different chemical reactivity toward O(2), CO, or NO molecule is predicted in transition metal-doped gold clusters compared to pure gold clusters.     

Quantum Chemical Studies on the Mechanism of Producing Oxygenates in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis on M/SiO2(M = Ni,Ru,Rh,Pd)

EHMO calculations and orbital analyses of fragment;;have been performed for the formation of oxygenates in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on the butterfly model for four different metal (Ni,Ru,Rh,Pd) catalysts supported on SiO2.Calculations were made for the four processes,i.e.,CO-dissociation;Coupling of CO and H to produce CHO;Insertion of CO to M-CH3;insertion of CH2 to M-CH3 On the basis of comparing the degree of CO bonds activation and the energy barriers of the foregoing processes for these four catalysts,it is concluded that Ni/SiO2 can be used as the methanation catalyst.On Ru/SiO2 and Rh/SiO2 C2-oxygenated compound can be produced (acetaldehyde),especially Rh/SiO2 is the even better catalyst,and Pd/SiO2 is a methanol synthesis catalyst.     

New metal-rich sulfides Ni(6)SnS(2) and Ni(9)Sn(2)S(2) with a 2D metal framework: synthesis, crystal structure, and bonding

Two new, metal-rich nickel-tin sulfides Ni(6)SnS(2) and Ni(9)Sn(2)S(2) were found by establishing phase relations in the ternary Ni-Sn-S system at 540 degrees C. Their single crystals were prepared by means of chemical vapor transport reactions. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used for the determination of their crystal structures. Both compounds crystallize in a tetragonal system (I4/mmm, No. 139, Z = 2, a = 3.646(1) A, c = 18.151(8) A for Ni(6)SnS(2), and a = 3.678(1) A, c = 25.527(8) A for Ni(9)Sn(2)S(2)). Their crystal structures represent a new structure type and can be considered as assembled from bimetallic nickel-tin and nickel-sulfide slabs alternating along the crystallographic c axis. DFT band structure calculations showed the bonding within the bimetallic slabs to have a delocalized, multicenter nature, typical for metallic systems, and predominantly classical, pairwise bonding between nickel and sulfur.     

Synthesis, structure, and bonding of Sc(6)MTe(2) (M = Ag, Cu, Cd): heterometal-induced polymerization of metal chains in Sc(2)Te

Three new compounds, Sc(6)AgTe(2), Sc(6)Cu(0.80(2))Te(2.20(2)), and Sc(6)CdTe(2), were prepared by high-temperature solid state techniques, and the structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to be orthorhombic, Pnma (No. 62, Z = 4) with a = 20.094(9) A, 19.853(5) A, 20.08(1) A, b = 3.913(1) A, 3.914(1) A, 3.915(2) A, and c = 10.688(2) A, 10.644(2) A, 10.679(5) A, respectively, at 23 degrees C. The compounds are isotypic with Sc(6)PdTe(2) and represent the first ternary metal-rich rare-earth-metal chalcogenides containing group 11 or group 12 elements. The structure can be viewed as heterometal sheets lying parallel to the b-c planes that are separated by isolated tellurium atoms. These sheets can also be viewed as a polymerization of two different types of metal chains in Sc(2)Te (blades and zigzag chains) by heterometal (M) replacements of some intervening tellurium atoms. Extended Hückel band calculations reveal that the interior atoms in the metal network achieve negative formal Mulliken charges while Sc atoms on the exterior that have tellurium neighbors have positive values. The heterometal-metal bonding enhances the overlap populations of zigzag chains and blades relative to those in Sc(2)Te. The calculation results also indicate that these compounds are metallic, as usual.     

The metal-rich palladium chalcogenides Pd2MCh2 (M=Fe, Co, Ni; Ch=Se, Te): Crystal structure and topology of the electron density

Crystals of Pd₂MCh₂ (M=Fe, Co, Ni; Ch=Se, Te) were synthesized by heating the elements at 823-1323 K in silica ampoules under argon atmosphere. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature. The metallic compounds crystallize in a variant of the K₂ZnO₂ type (Ibam, Z=4, Pd₂CoSe₂: a=5.993(1), b=10.493(2), c=5.003(1) Å; Pd₂FeSe₂: a=5.960(1), b=10.576(2), c=5.078(1) Å; Pd₂CoTe₂: a=6.305(1), b=11.100(2), c=5.234(1) Å; Pd₂NiTe₂: a=6.286(1), b=11.194(2), c=5.157(1) Å). One-dimensional tetrahedra chains with remarkably short M—M bonds run along [001], separated by [Pd₂] dumbbells with palladium in fivefold coordination of selenium or tellurium atoms. The structure may also be described as a filled variant of the SiS₂ type. M atoms occupy of the tetrahedral voids and the Pd atoms fill all octahedral voids in a distorted ccp motif of chalcogen atoms. Even though the Pd₂MCh₂ compounds are isotypic to K₂ZnO₂ from the crystallographic viewpoint, we find a different bonding situation with additional homo- and heteronuclear metal-metal bonds between the Pd and Co atoms. The electronic structures and topologies of the electron densities of Pd₂CoSe₂ and isotypic Na₂CoSe₂ are analyzed and compared by using Bader's AIM theory. Different values of topological charge transfer and electron density flatness indices uncover striking quantitative differences in the nature of chemical bonding between the metallic compound Pd₂CoSe₂ and nonmetallic Na₂CoSe₂.     

Five-, six- and eight-membered ring organosilicon chalcogenides of the types Z2(SiMe2)2E (Z = Me2Si, H2C; E = S, Se, Te), Z(SiMe2E)2MR2 (Z = Me2Si, H2C, O; E = S, Se, Te; M = Si, Ge, Sn, R = Me, Ph) and (SiMe2ZSiMe2E)2 (Z = Me2Si, H2C; E = S, Se)

Reactions of ClMe₂Si–Z–SiMe₂Cl (Z = SiMe₂ (1a), CH₂ (1c), O (1e)) with Li₂E (E = S, Se) yielded eight-membered ring compounds (SiMe₂ZSiMe₂E)₂ (3a–d) as well as acyclic oligomers (SiMe₂ZSiMe₂E)_x of different chain lengths. If 1:1 molar mixtures of 1a, 1c or 1e and a diorganodichlorosilane, -germane or -stannane (R₂MCl₂) are reacted with Li₂E (E = S, Se, Te), six-membered ring compounds Z(SiMe₂E)₂MR₂ (4a–7g) are formed exclusively. Five-membered rings Z₂(SiMe₂)₂E (Z = SiMe₂ (8a–c), CH₂ (9a–c); E = S, Se, Te) are obtained starting from the tetrasilane ClMe₂Si–(SiMe₂)₂–SiMe₂Cl (1b) or the disilylethane ClMe₂Si–(CH₂)₂–SiMe₂Cl (1d) by treatment with Li₂E. All products were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹¹⁹Sn, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te, including coupling constants) and the effects of the different ring sizes towards NMR chemical shifts are discussed.     

Chemical bonding in EuTGe (T=Ni, Pd, Pt) and physical properties of EuPdGe

EuPdGe was prepared from the elements by reaction in a sealed tantalum tube in a high-frequency furnace. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Curie-Weiss behavior above 60 K with an experimental magnetic moment of 8.0(1)μ_B/Eu indicating divalent europium. At low external fields antiferromagnetic ordering is observed at T_N=8.5(5) K. Magnetization measurements indicate a metamagnetic transition at a critical field of 1.5(2) T and a saturation magnetization of 6.4(1)μ_B/Eu at 5 K and 5.5 T. EuPdGe is a metallic conductor with a room-temperature value of 5000±500 μΩ cm for the specific resistivity. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments show a single europium site with an isomer shift of δ=−9.7(1) mm/s at 78 K. At 4.2 K full magnetic hyperfine field splitting with a hyperfine field of B=20.7(5) T is observed. Density functional calculations show the similarity of the electronic structures of EuPdGe and EuPtGe. T-Ge interactions (T=Pd, Pt) exist in both compounds. An ionic formula splitting Eu²⁺T⁰Ge²⁻ seems more appropriate than Eu²⁺T²⁺Ge⁴⁻ accounting for the bonding in both compounds. Geometry optimizations of EuTGe (T=Ni, Pt, Pd) show weak energy differences between the two structural types.     

Synthesis, structure, and cooperative proton-electron transfer reaction of Bis(5,6-diethylpyrazinedithiolato)metal complexes (M = Ni, Pd, Pt)

New proton and electron donors, M(II)(HL)(2) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; L = 5,6-diethylpyradzinedithiolate), as well as a proton and electron acceptor, Pt(IV)(L)(2), were prepared and characterized. The pH-dependent cyclic voltammetry of the M(II)(HL)(2) complexes revealed a favorable Gibbs free energy (K(com) > 1) for the proton and electron transfer reactions from M(II)(HL)(2) to M(IV)(L)(2); i.e., the equilibrium for the following reaction lies to the right: M(II)(HL)(2) + M(IV)(L)(2) <==>2M(III)(HL)(L).     

Metal-rich chalcogenides. Synthesis, structure, and bonding of the layered Lu11Te4. Comparison with the similar Sc8Te3 and Ti11Se4

The high-yield synthesis of Lu11Te4 by reaction of the components and annealing at 1200 degrees C is described. The structure determined by single-crystal diffraction means is monoclinic C2/m, Z = 6, a = 30.412(3) A, b = 3.9504(4) A, c = 21.073(2) A, beta = 102.96 degrees and consists of two independent condensed puckered sheets of Lu separated by individual Te atoms. Notwithstanding, the geometric structure is closely related to but distinctly different from those of both Sc8Te3 and Ti11Se4 (also C2/m), principally through displacements of pairs of atoms (the structure of the last was determined by electron diffraction). Further, close electronic similarities among the three structures are demonstrated by EHTB results in terms of both effective atom charge and bond overlap population trends between equivalent positions or functions.     

Synthesis, structure, and thermally stable luminescence of Eu(2+)-doped Ba2Ln(BO3)2Cl (Ln = Y, Gd and Lu) host compounds

A new family of chloroborate compounds, which was investigated from the viewpoint of rare earth ion activated phosphor materials, have been synthesized by a conventional high temperature solid-state reaction. The crystal structure and thermally stable luminescence of chloroborate phosphors Ba(2)Ln(BO(3))(2)Cl:Eu(2+) (Ln = Y, Gd, and Lu) have been reported in this paper. X-ray diffraction studies verify the successful isomorphic substitution for Ln(3+) sites in Ba(2)Ln(BO(3))(2)Cl by other smaller trivalent rare earth ions, such as Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb. The detailed structure information for Ba(2)Ln(BO(3))(2)Cl (Ln = Y, Gd, and Lu) by Rietveld analysis reveals that they all crystallize in a monoclinic P2(1)/m space group. These compounds display interesting and tunable photoluminescence (PL) properties after Eu(2+)-doping. Ba(2)Ln(BO(3))(2)Cl:Eu(2+) phosphors exhibit bluish-green/greenish-yellow light with peak wavelengths at 526, 548, and 511 nm under 365 UV light excitation for Ba(2)Y(BO(3))(2)Cl:Eu(2+), Ba(2)Gd(BO(3))(2)Cl:Eu(2+), and Ba(2)Lu(BO(3))(2)Cl:Eu(2+), respectively. Furthermore, they possess a high thermal quenching temperature. With the increase of temperature, the emission bands show blue shifts with broadening bandwidths and slightly decreasing emission intensities. It is expected that this series of chloroborate phosphors can be used in white-light UV-LEDs as a good wavelength-conversion phosphor.     

Adsorption and Decarbonylation Reaction of Furfural on the Pd(111) and M/Pd(111)(M=Ni,Cu and Ru) Surfaces

By performing with density functional theory(DFT) method, the detailed adsorption process and the catalytic decarbonylation mechanisms of furfural over Pd(111) and M/Pd(111)(M = Ni, Cu, Ru) surfaces toward furan were clarified. The results of atomic size factor, formation energy and d-band center showed that Ru/Pd(111) surface was the most stable and active. The adsorption energies of furfural on the different surfaces followed the order Ru/Pd(111) Cu/Pd(111) Pd(111) Ni/Pd(111). After analyzing Mulliken atomic charge population and the deformation density, we can find that on Ru/Pd(111) surface, the number of charge transfer was the most and the interaction was the strongest. Therefore, its adsorption energy was the highest. Furthermore, the furfural decarbonylation pathway is more kinetically feasible on bimetallic surface, and the reaction is the most likely to occur on Ru/Pd(111).     

Biferrocene-M(mnt)2 charge-transfer complexes (M = Ni, Co; mnt = maleonitriledithiolate). structure, valence states, and magnetic properties

Charge-transfer salts of branched-alkyl biferrocenes, (1',1' '-R2-1,1' '-biferrocene)[Ni(mnt)2] (1a, R = isopropyl; 2a, R = dineopentyl) and (1',1' '-R2-1,1' '-biferrocene)2[Co(mnt)2]2 (1b, R = isopropyl; 2b, R = dineopentyl), were prepared. Their valence states were investigated using X-ray crystallography and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. Complexes 1a and 1b show segregated-stack crystal structures that contain columns of acceptors, whereas structures of 2a and 2b, which contain bulky donors, are rather discrete. All of the complexes contain mixed-valent biferrocenium monocations. A two-step valence transition was found in complex 1a. The crystal contains two crystallographically independent cations: one undergoes valence localization below room temperature; the other undergoes valence localization below ca. 130 K. The former transition is derived from asymmetry of the crystal environment around the cation, whereas the latter one is caused by symmetry lowering coupled with a spin-Peierls transition (T(C) = 133.2 K) associated with the dimerization of the acceptors. This compound was found to exhibit a dielectric response based on valence tautomerization. Other complexes (1b, 2a, and 2b) show a valence-trapped state. In all complexes, charge localization was found to occur through local electrostatic interactions between the donor's cationic moiety and the acceptor's electronegative moieties.     

Metal-metal bonding in tetracyanometalates (M=PtII, PdII, NiII) of monovalent thallium. Crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization of the new compounds Tl2Ni(CN)4 and Tl2Pd(CN)4

The new crystalline compounds Tl2Ni(CN)4 and Tl2Pd(CN)4 were synthesized by several procedures. The structures of the compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are isostructural with the previously reported platinum analogue, Tl2Pt(CN)4. A new synthetic route to the latter compound is also suggested. In contrast to the usual infinite columnar stacking of [M(CN)4]2- ions with short intrachain M-M separations, characteristic of salts of tetracyanometalates of NiII, PdII, and PtII, the structure of the thallium compounds is noncolumnar with the two TlI ions occupying axial vertices of a distorted pseudo-octahedron of the transition metal, [MTl2C4]. The Tl-M distances in the compounds are 3.0560(6), 3.1733(7), and 3.140(1) A for NiII, PdII, and PtII, respectively. The short Tl-Ni distance in Tl2Ni(CN)4 is the first example of metal-metal bonding between these two metals. The strength of the metal-metal bonds in this series of compounds was assessed by means of vibrational spectroscopy. Rigorous calculations, performed on the molecules in D4h point group symmetry, provide force constants for the Tl-M stretching vibration constants of 146.2, 139.6, and 156.2 N/m for the NiII, PdII, and PtII compounds, respectively, showing the strongest metal-metal bonding in the case of the Tl-Pt compound. Amsterdam density-functional calculations for isolated Tl2M(CN)4 molecules give Tl-M geometry-optimized distances of 2.67, 2.80, and 2.84 A for M = NiII, PdII, and PtII, respectively. These distances are all substantially shorter than the experimental values, most likely because of intermolecular Tl-N interactions in the solid compounds. Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations reveal a low-energy, allowed transition in all three compounds that involves excitation from an a1g orbital of mixed Tl 6pz-M ndz2 character to an a2u orbital of dominant Tl 6pz character.     

Two-dimensional metallic chain compounds Y5M2Te2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) that are related to Gd3MnI3. The hydride derivative Y5Ni2Te2D0.4

Y(5)M(2)Te(2) (M = Fe, Co, Ni) have been prepared by high-temperature solid-state techniques and shown to be isostructural and orthorhombic Cmcm (No. 63), Z = 4. The structure was established by single crystal X-ray methods at 23 degrees C for M = Fe, with a = 3.9594(3) A, b = 15.057(1) A, and c = 15.216(1) A. The new structure contains zigzag chains of the late transition metal sheathed by a column of yttrium atoms that are in turn condensed through trans vertices on the latter to yield 2D bimetallic layers separated by single layers of tellurium atoms. Reaction of hydrogen with Y(5)Ni(2)Te(2) causes a rumpling of the Y-Ni layers as determined by both single X-ray crystal means at 23 degrees C and neutron powder diffraction at -259 degrees C for Y(5)Ni(2)Te(2)D(0.41(1)), Pnma (No. 62), Z = 4. Lattice constants from the former study are a = 14.3678(7) A, b = 4.0173(2) A, and c = 15.8787(7) A. The hydrogen is accommodated in tetrahedral yttrium cavities generated by bending the formerly flat sheets at the trans Y vertices. A higher hydride version also exists. Band structure calculations confirm the 2D metal-bonded character of the compounds and also help illustrate the bonding/matrix changes that accompany the bonding of hydrogen. The ternary structures for both Y(5)M(2)Te(2) and Sc(5)Ni(2)Te(2) can be derived from that of Gd(3)MnI(3), the group illustrating three different kinds of metal chain condensation.     

Nb4Pd0.5ZSb2 (Z = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Si): the first ordered quaternary variants of the W5Si3-type structure

A family of quaternary (or pseudoquaternary) antimonides Nb4Pd0.5ZSb2 (Z = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Si) containing up to three transition metals in an ordered arrangement has been prepared by reactions of the elements. These antimonides are isostructural, crystallizing as substitutional variants of the W5Si3-type structure (tetragonal, space group -I4/mcm, Z = 4) with unit cell parameters a = 10.4407(3) A and c = 5.0020(2) A for Nb4Pd0.5Cr0.28(3)Si0.72Sb2, a = 10.4825(6) A and c = 4.9543(3) A for Nb4Pd0.5FeSb2, a = 10.4603(5) A and c = 4.9457(3) A for Nb4Pd0.5CoSb2, a = 10.4332(7) A and c = 4.9649(3) A for Nb4Pd0.5Ni0.78(1)Sb2, and a = 10.3895(10) A and c = 4.9634(4) A for Nb4Pd0.5SiSb2. They are distinguished by the filling of interstitial Z atoms into the centers of Nb8 square antiprismatic clusters that are linked by PdSb4 tetrahedra. The Nb8 square antiprisms share opposite square faces to form one-dimensional chains along the c axis so that Z-Z bonding distances of approximately 2.5 A result. Extended Hückel band structure calculations were carried out to interpret the homo- and heteroatomic metal-metal interactions in the structure. The resistivity of one member, Nb4Pd0.5SiSb2, was measured, indicating metallic behavior.     

Synthesis of a one-dimensional metal-dimer assembled system with interdimer interaction, M2(dtp)4 (M = Ni, Pd; dtp = dithiopropionato)

A metal-dimer assembled system, M(2)(dtp)(4) (M = Ni, Pd; dtp = dithiopropionate, C(2)H(5)CS(2-)), was synthesized and analyzed by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction method, UV-vis-near-IR spectra of solutions, solid-state diffuse reflectance spectroscopies, and electrical conductivity measurements. The structures exhibit one-dimensional metal-dimer chains of M(2)(dtp)(4) with moderate interdimer contact. These complexes are semiconducting or insulating, which is consistent with the fully filled d(z)2 band of M(II)(d(8)). Interdimer metal-metal distances were 3.644(2) Angstroms in Ni(2)(dtp)(4) and 3.428(2) Angstroms in Pd(2)(dtp)(4), each of which is marginally longer than twice the van der Waals radius of the metal. Interdimer charge-transfer transitions were nevertheless observed in diffuse reflectance spectra. The origin of this transition is considered to be due to an overlap of two adjacent d(sigma) orbitals, which spread out more than the d(z)2 orbital because of the antibonding d(sigma) character of the M(d(z)2)-M(d(z)2). The Ni(2)(dtp)(4) exhibited an interdimer charge-transfer band at a relatively low energy region, which is derived from the Coulomb repulsion of the 3d(sigma) orbital of Ni.     

Crystal chemistry of AB2X4 (X = S,Se, Te) compounds

An attempt is made to correlate the crystal structures of ternary chalcogenides of composition AB₂X₄ with the cationic radius ratio and a pseudo force-constant involving their electronegativities. The resultant diagram adequately resolves structures based on the types K₂SO₄, monoclinic, olivine, MnY₂S₄, Th₃P₄, and CaFe₂O₄ but structure types based on spinel, Cr₃Se₄, and Ag₂HgI₄ are not resolved. Crystal chemical arguments are used to explain these observations and to advance reasons for the successes and failures of this method for predicting structure types.     

Synthesis, structure, chemical bonding, and magnetism of the series RELiGe2 (RE = La-Nd, Sm, Eu)

This article focuses on the synthesis and the crystal chemistry of six members of a series of rare-earth metal based germanides with general formula RELiGe(2) (RE = La-Nd, Sm, and Eu). The structures of these compounds have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (CaLiSi(2) structure type, space group Pnma, Z = 4, Pearson symbol oP16). The chemical bonding within this atomic arrangement can be rationalized in terms of anionic germanium zigzag chains, conjoined via chains of edge-shared LiGe(4) tetrahedra and separated by rare-earth metal cations. The structure can also be viewed as an intergrowth of AlB(2)-like and TiNiSi-like fragments, or as the result of the replacement of 50% of the rare-earth metal atoms by lithium in the parent structure of the REGe monogermanides. Except for LaLiGe(2) and SmLiGe(2), the remaining four RELiGe(2) phases exhibit Curie-Weiss paramagnetism above about 50 K. In the low temperature regime, the localized 4f electrons in CeLiGe(2), PrLiGe(2), and SmLiGe(2) order ferromagnetically, while antiferromagnetic ordering is observed for NdLiGe(2) and EuLiGe(2). The calculated effective magnetic moments confirm RE(3+) ground states in all cases excluding EuLiGe(2), in which the magnetic response is consistent with Eu(2+) configuration (J = S = 7/2). The experimental results have been complemented by tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO) band structure calculations.